This study analyzed the structure and the developmental changes of interpersonal behaviors of 42 preschool children using a longitudinal method over a 3-year-period. Four variables-sex (M. F.), enrolled year (1980, 1981), subcategory of interpersonal behaviors (solitary, parallel, same sex pair, same sex group, etc.) and term (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) were employed as the variables. As a result of factor analysis, five factors (“unoccupied behavior, ” “solitary behavior and teacher pair-same sex group, ” “same sex pair-mixed group, ” “same sex group with teacher, ” and “parallel behavior”) were identified. Boys were likely to play in “same sex groups, ” while girls were likely to play with their teacher. Interaction between teacher and children resulted in specific interpersonal behavior. In the first term, the child was engaged in a variety of activities. However, beginning with the fourth term, “same sex groups” and “same sex pair” were ranked higher, followed by “parallel behavior.” “Parallel behavior” sometimes represented the child's involvement in an activity. In future, multi-dimensional analysis of interpersonal behaviors and task-oriented behaviors should be performed.
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